The Menta Education Group
Location
Hillside, Illinois
Salary
$40,000 - $75,000 / YEAR
Prepare students aged 14-22 for life after school by fostering independence and building community networks. Responsibilities include implementing transition assessments, managing IDEA compliance, and developing work-study opportunities with local businesses.
A Bachelor's degree in education or social work is strongly preferred, along with deep knowledge of IDEA mandates. Candidates must have documented experience in vocational coaching and the ability to manage complex behavioral needs.
Student Support, Coaching & Self-Advocacy Supervision & Behavioral Management: Supervise students in groups and individually, monitoring behavior to ensure alignment with programmatic expectations. Student Counseling: Counsel students on personal, social, behavioral, or academic issues affecting their educational progress. Person-Centered Planning: Ensure every student actively leads or participates in their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition meetings. Utilize assistive technology, visual choice boards or person-centered tools to provide a voice for students with limited or non-verbal communication. Goal Realism & Guidance: Manage complex dynamics where a student's post-secondary dream conflicts with parental wishes or current skill realities. Apply strategies like "failing safely" (e.g., career-testing, job shadowing and temporary classes) alongside stepping-stone goals to gently navigate reality without crushing student ambition. Compliance, Data, & Transition Assessments Student Evaluations: Evaluate individual student abilities, interests and personality characteristics using tests, records, interviews and professional sources. Multi-Faceted Assessment: Administer age-appropriate formal and informal transition assessments evaluating independent living, travel/transit skills, and actual work behaviors to formulate compliant, measurable post-secondary goals. IDEA Compliance: Apply strong knowledge of Individualized Education Act (IDEA) transition mandates to draft audited, highly scrutinized goals and dynamically pivot plans based on assessment data. Rigorous Progress Tracking: Utilize robust organizational systems such as digital tracking tools, rubric-based feedback from job coaches, and student self-monitoring checklists to track and document progress when students are off-campus at work-based learning sites. Collaboration, Networking & Program Development Community Site Development: Develop and maintain strong relationships with community sites, public transit systems, and external agencies. Work-Based Opportunities: Develop work-study programs, internships, and volunteer opportunities for students to gain competitive experience while completing their high school curriculum. Agency Connections: Manage the "Service Cliff" by facilitating warm handovers introducing families directly to agency contacts and connecting students with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and developmental disability boards. Business Empathy & Partnerships: Proactively engage local business owners, pitching inclusive hiring benefits and demonstrating how a transitioning student adds tangible value to their workforce. Workplace Intervention & Crisis Management Workplace Learning Labs: Safely intervene when work-based placements experience friction, behavioral incidents, or employer misunderstandings. Student Independence Coaching: Use workplace mistakes as a live curriculum, coaching students on how to navigate portals, look up records, request legal accommodations,and repair professional relationships independently rather than filling out paperwork for them.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred. Background in education or social work preferred. Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrate deep, compliance-centered knowledge of transitioning students as per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates. Transition & Coaching Experience: Documented knowledge and/or experience placing and coaching students in jobs, as well as assisting them in transitioning to college, career, and independent life. Systemic Mindset: Demonstrated ability to constantly focus on the "real world," utilizing community agency networks, public transit routes, and outer-community resources. Behavioral & Performance Knowledge: Knowledge of human behavior, performance, and specific student needs (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD). Professional Soft Skills: High level of professionalism, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to communicate calmly, transparently, and effectively in writing across varied audiences, including resistant families, school teams, and litigious stakeholders. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee shall perform other reasonably related school duties as assigned by administrators. This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
Compensation & Benefits In accordance with the Pay Transparency amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003, information about pay ranges and employee benefits can be found at the following links: Compensation Information: Salary Range $40,000 to $75,000 annually https://menta.com/compensation-arizona-and-illinois/ Our benefits package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off (PTO); and a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match. For more information visit: https://menta.com/employee-benefits-full-time/
\n $40,000 - $75,000 a year \n About Menta Academy Hillside
At Menta Academy Hillside, we hold the key to unlocking the vast potential within every student through a dedicated, holistic approach to education. Our mission is grounded in the '3-C Ready' philosophy, ensuring that every learner is prepared for the challenges of College, Career, and Citizenship. This isn't just a slogan; it's a commitment that permeates every aspect of our learning environment. We recognize that each child's journey is unique, which is why our educational services are tailored to the developmental and individual learning needs of each student.
The classrooms at Menta Academy Hillside are vibrant hubs of activity and engagement. Our educators curate a dynamic curriculum that transcends traditional learning, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. This approach ensures that students are not only absorbing knowledge but are also applying it in real-world contexts, thus becoming active participants in their educational journey. With a focus on continuous growth, our students are encouraged to strive for academic excellence and behavioral success, underpinned by consistent support and recognition of their achievements.
At Hillside, our motto is “We are Better Together!” Our team of highly educated teachers and administrative staff work diligently to ensure that each student is given individualized educational support and a consistent therapeutic learning environment. With our “better together” mindset, we put a focus on community outreach, collaboration, and partnership to provide various opportunities for our students to succeed. This is done through college visits, career exploration events, community service opportunities, and outside speakers and presentations.
Menta Academy Hillside staff uses Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) and Restorative Practices to reinforce positive and appropriate behaviors and relationships in our students. We work with students to help determine motivators to reward encouraged behavior in and out of school.
Professional Associations and/or Partnerships
The Menta Education Group affiliates are members/partners with CEC, CASE, Autism Speaks, ASBA, AAPSEC, AASA, CCSSO, SEAA, ASCD, and many more associations that focus on the education of children with disabilities.
The Menta Education Group (“Menta”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, gender identity and gender expression), color, national origin, religion, age, pregnancy or related conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis protected under federal, state or local law. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact Menta’s office.
Market context
In Illinois, Transition Coordinator openings often reflect steady demand in districts and programs serving students with disabilities as they move from school to adult life. These roles are competitive because employers look for a bachelor’s degree in education or social work, strong IDEA knowledge, vocational coaching experience, and skill handling complex behavioral needs. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then tailor your application to transition planning and student support experience.
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